As preparations for the 27th Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27) begins, representatives of the African civil society have reiterated the call for a COP for the African people, not just be an African COP.
Clarifying their stance on the call during a meeting in Kigali, Rwanda on the sidelines of the ongoing eighth African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD), Dr Augustine Njamnshi, the Chair of the Political and Technical Affairs Committee at the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) affirmed that having COP27 in Africa is not the same as having African issues in the COP.
The campaigners declared that ahead of COP 27 set to hold in Egypt later in the year, “Just Energy Transition and Financing Adaptation debates must reflect the continent’s twin agenda force this year.
“We are a continent poised for a giant industrial revolution, and energy security for Africa is non-negotiable,” said Wanjira Mathai, the Vice President and Africa Director, World Resources Institute.
She said among other things that must be done ahead of COP27 is that Africa must agree on key issues that confront the continent and priority areas that will shape debates at the COP27, adding that this meeting in Kigali is one of the efforts towards the same.
Mithika Mwenda, the Executive Director of PACJA, said that unless Africans decide to stick together, there are many forces from without the continent whose interest is to fragment African people and governments and incapacitate common understanding of the problems and solutions that confront the continent.
“This fragmentation along low (70 per cent of who are from Africa) and middle-income countries, small island nations among others, present real challenges for the African people in the UNFCCC discussion processes.
According to Mithika, while much still needs to be done, African CSOs are making strides in building the capacity of negotiating groups and making governments understand the enormity of the challenges climate change portends for the continent.
The challenge, however, according to Njamnshi, “is that those who have the resources do not see things in the same way as we, in Africa do,” adding that without resources, Africa will not be able to tackle climate change.
Yet, he added, COVID-19 has proved that resources are available, but the sad thing is that those with resources only rise when the problem affects them.
Dr. Najwa Bourawi, PACJA’s Boardchair noted that as Africa’s leading alliance of climate advocates, PACJA remains committed to tackling climate change challenges and saving nature. “We are seeking the just way this can be done. The Sustainable Development Goals should produce tangible results for mankind and nature,” she added.
The meeting in Kigali is taking place against the background of the Second scientific report released on February 28 by the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change, which has proven that Africa is in great danger from climate change impacts.
The report confirmed that climate impacts are more severe than previously thought and that even If the world was to decarbonise, “we are locked”. The report further noted that the tipping point is much closer than anticipated.
According to the campaigners, the report just highlighted why Climate justice matters. “The risk of dying from floods in climate-vulnerable countries in Africa are 15% higher than the risk of mortality in a wealthier country and delaying action will trigger more impacts” they added.
